Introduction to Motorcycle Accidents

About Motorcycle Accidents

Some motorcycle riders have loved motorcycles since they were children and could not imagine any other way of travelling around. Others use motorcycles for convenience as they are the fastest way of getting around roads congested with traffic. Motorcyclists also feel that riding their motorcycle is more exciting and exhilarating than driving a car so motorcycles and mopeds are becoming more and more popular.

As mentioned above, there are many positive points to being a motorcycle rider; however, there are many negative points too. Motorcycles represent approximately only 1% of the traffic on our roads in the UK but they account for 18% of all deaths and serious injuries. Motorcyclists are 40 times more likely to be killed in an accident than a car driver.

How to Avoid a Motorcycle Accident as a Motorcyclist

Tips for Motorcyclists

Be Alert - Particularly at junctions and roundabouts, you need to be alert and anticipate what other motorists are likely to do. Always take a glance over your shoulder before completing a manoeuvre.

Be Seen - Wearing fluorescent clothing or using dipped headlights, even during the day will help you to bee seen and avoid a motorcycle accident.

Best Position - The safest place in the road for a Motorcycle Rider is normally the centre of the lane. When preparing to make a turn, use your indicators and move over to the correct side of the lane in good time.

Overtaking - Overtaking is a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Make sure you can see the road ahead of you clearly before trying to overtake and avoid overtaking on a bend in the road or near a junction.

Ride your motorcycle at a sensible speed - This will allow you to slow down and stop if you spot a hazard in the road.

Take more care in bad weather conditions - Rain, ice and fog are all known to contribute towards motorcycle accidents.

How to Avoid a Motorcycle Accident as another Road User

Tips for other Drivers

At a Junction - Before you turn either way, check in your mirrors to make sure there is not a motorcycle there.

Keep your Temper - If a Motorcyclist does something to annoy you keep your temper. Retaliating with a dangerous manoeuvre might not even injure you but could kill a motorcyclist.

Opening Doors - If you park at the side of the road, check for cyclists and motorcyclists before opening your doors.

Overtaking - Give a motorcyclist the same amount of room as you would when overtaking another car.

Pulling away - As you prepare to pull away from a parked position, check your mirrors for motorcyclists to avoid a motorcycle accident.

Pulling out of a Side Road - As you pull out from a junction make sure there are no motorcycles on the main road. It is sometimes difficult to see them, particularly if cars are parked along the kerb side.

Avoid Serious Injuries as a Motorcyclist

Protect yourself in a Motorcycle Accident

Wearing the correct protective clothing can make a world of difference if you are involved in a motorcycle accident.

Safety helmet

Your first priority should be an approved safety helmet which fits your head properly. If the helmet takes a knock or becomes damaged make sure you replace it with a new one and replace your visor if it becomes scratched.

You should never wear a tinted visor or goggles if you are driving in the dark and you may find that a brightly coloured or white safety helmet helps you to be seen.

Safety Clothing

CE marked clothing is designed to protect you as much as possible if you fall from your motorcycle or become involved in a motorcycle accident. You should purchase a jacket, trousers and a pair of boots which are reflective in the dark and fluorescent during the day.

Our client suffered multiple injuries when a car cut across the path of his motorbike. He was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured shoulder blade, fractured ribs and fractures to his right hand. The most serious injuries were to his right leg which sustained multiple fractures and significant tissue loss.

This new story is about 18-year-old James Hall who came off his Kawasaki 85 when he was hit by an uninsured rider. James fractured his skull and suffered a major head injury but puts his survival down to wearing a helmet.

The fact that the other rider had no insurance has led to an almost eight year fight by James and his family to get compensation.

In this case our client was a firefighter who was knocked off his motorbike by another motorist. The accident broke a bone in his ankle which never healed properly and he ended up having his leg amputated below the knee. Thompsons Solicitors recovered compensation for him which included lost earnings as he had to give up his job after the accident.

This news story is about a motorcyclist who was knocked off his motorcycle by a car. The car driver initially denied liability for the motorcycle accident and said that our client had been speeding and swerved in front of her. The Police evidence showed that this was not the case and Thompsons Solicitors won compensation for the motorcyclist who suffered catastrophic injuries.

Why Should I Choose Thompsons to deal with my Motorcycle Accident Claim?

About Thompsons Solicitors and Motorcycle Accident Compensation

At Thompsons Solicitors, we will always strive to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for you in the shortest amount of time.

We are experienced in dealing with motorcycle accident personal injury claims and also have specialist teams of solicitors based across our network of offices throughout the UK who are experts in dealing with claims for serious injuries.

Our solicitors will always be happy to review your motorcycle accident personal injury claim and will always speak to you in plain English.

Making a Motorcycle Accident Compensation Claim

How to begin your motorcycle accident personal injury claim

Contact Thompsons Solicitors with as little or as much information as you have to hand about your motorcycle accident or motorcyclist injury. We can investigate further with the Police or witnesses to obtain any other evidence needed to begin your motorcyclist accident personal injury compensation claim.

All personal injury claims, including motorcycle accident personal injury claims are subject to strict time limits, so you need to act fast. For further information, visit our Time Limits page. Another reason to begin your motorcyclist accident personal injury compensation claim as soon as possible is that you are more likely to recall the exact circumstances if the motorcycle accident has only just recently occurred.